City of Edmonton
Face coverings vital to Edmonton’s COVID recovery
Face coverings vital to Edmonton’s COVID recovery
September 25, 2020
Face coverings have been required in all indoor public spaces and in public vehicles within Edmonton since August 1. Since then, a vast majority of Edmontonians have respected the requirement, helping protect themselves and their neighbours from COVID-19.
Face coverings are an important tool in the fight against COVID-19, according to Dr. Chris Sikora, Edmonton Zone’s Medical Officer of Health.
A small number of people continue to ignore the health and safety of others in the midst of this global pandemic. Tickets have been issued to two individuals not wearing masks while on the LRT system. The fine for each violation, under the City’s Temporary Mandatory Face Coverings Bylaw, is $100.
In both cases, City staff took an education-first stance and repeatedly tried to help the individuals understand the bylaw before issuing a ticket. The individuals were offered a free mask during many of these interactions.
The number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the city. Most Edmontonians are doing their part to help reduce the spread of the virus, and a re-doubling of this effort is needed as fall arrives and indoor activities increase.
We would also like to thank all Edmontonians for putting used disposable masks and gloves where they belong—in a garbage can. The City is continuing to distribute additional litter kits to community leagues and businesses.
Alberta
Province forms Edmonton Public Safety Cabinet Committee in response to homeless encampment crisis
Edmonton encampments: Deputy Premier Ellis
Deputy Premier Mike Ellis issued the below statement in response to Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi’s announcement of his intention to declare an emergency:
“In November, Premier Danielle Smith ordered that an emergency cabinet committee be created and convened in response to the issue of crime and gang-related activity within encampments across the City of Edmonton.
“Alberta’s government cares deeply about vulnerable Edmontonians and we will always ensure that anyone who wants shelter and supportive services will receive it. However, we will not stand by and watch as vulnerable Albertans and the general public continue to be extorted, taken advantage of and killed by gangsters and deadly drugs.
“The Edmonton Public Safety Cabinet Committee (EPSCC) is comprised of ministers from departments that oversee operations and/or administer programs that promote public safety and support the transition of Edmonton-based encampment residents into safe, secure and appropriate arrangements.
“The cabinet committee membership includes:
- Danielle Smith, Premier (chair)
- Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice
- Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services
- Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health
- Ric McIver, Minister of Municipal Affairs
- Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services
- Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family Services
- Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction
- Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Relations
“Also sworn into the committee are:
- Cody Thomas, Grand Chief, Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations
- Dale McPhee, Chief, Edmonton Police Service
“This committee has met continuously since its initial meeting on Nov. 29, 2023, to plan a joint response. Our government is working on an action plan alongside Alberta Health Services, Edmonton Police Service, the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations and several departments from the City of Edmonton, including Edmonton Fire Rescue Services.
“Our government will continue to respond to these issues following the expected court decision on Jan. 16, no matter the outcome. We will have a more detailed statement regarding this response once the court decision is made.”
Additional quotes
“It is dangerous for the mayor and others to continue to suggest that vulnerable Albertans do not have anywhere to turn. This is false and will lead to more folks choosing not to seek out shelter because they fear they’ll be turned away. I have said before and will continue to say: there is safe space in shelters around the city and nobody will be turned away. We have more than enough room for every homeless person in the city of Edmonton to have a warm, safe place to stay. It is completely inappropriate and dangerous for the mayor, or anyone, to suggest Edmonton is out of capacity in our social services sector or our emergency shelter systems. Anyone needing shelter space will be kept care of.”
Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services
“I have been working and will continue to work diligently alongside the provincial government, in the spirit of reconciliation, for months on the serious action that is needed to get all people off the streets, including First Nations people. Encampments are not a safe place and letting people overdose and freeze in the cold is not reconciliation.”
Cody Thomas, Grand Chief, Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations
Alberta
City of Edmonton shuts down eighth homeless encampment after insuring space for occupants in warm shelters
New release from the City of Edmonton
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